Available Exhibits

John Henry: The Steel Drivin’ Man

The John Henry legend tells of the strong black worker who won a contest against a steam-powered drill during the railroad-building era of the late 19th century.

According to the legend John Henry was a steel driver. Using just a hammer and his own strong arms, he drove a steel bit deeper into the rock than the steam drill could do in the same period of time. He died of exhaustion soon afterwards, his heroic feat... (more)

The Kanawha County Textbook Controversy

In summer and fall 1974, the most violent protest over public school textbooks in our nation’s history erupted in Kanawha County, West Virginia. The disagreement stemmed from the selection of textbooks for the 46,000 students attending the county’s 124 public schools. By the time the dispute died down in early 1975, the county had been split into separate camps. In addition, various acts of violence had attracted... (more)

The Hatfield-McCoy Feud

This prolonged vendetta was the most notorious of several feuds that took place in central Appalachia in the late 19th century. It pitted the family of “Devil Anse” Hatfield, which resided mostly in Logan County in West Virginia (including present Mingo County), against the family of Randolph McCoy, which lived primarily across the Tug Fork in adjacent Pike County, Kentucky. Although the feud spanned nearly... (more)

Coal Miners and Coal Camps

Established in 1937 as part of the New Deal, the Farm Security Administration sought to help needy farmers during the Great Depression. As part of the agency’s efforts, FSA photographers traveled the country, capturing images that called attention to rural poverty. This online exhibit is based on earlier work by Betty Rivard, who created an exhibit with funding from the West Virginia Humanities Council to the... (more)

Helvetia

The community of Helvetia was settled by a small group of German-speaking Swiss immigrants in 1869. Other immigrants followed, and Helvetia evolved into a small, thriving community. Until the turn of the century when timbering began in the surrounding mountains, residents lived in relative isolation, maintaining their culture and native language. The 20th century brought great change, but Helvetia residents continued... (more)

Notable Visitors at The Greenbrier

The Greenbrier’s extensive guest list has included politicians, royalty, athletes, military leaders, writers, performers, and many others. This exhibit of notable visitors was developed by Greenbrier historian Robert Conte, author of The History of The Greenbrier: America’s Resort.

Historic Houses of Charleston

Charleston’s historic houses can be found in every neighborhood and come in all shapes and styles. Some are historic for the person who once lived there, while others are historic because of their age and architectural significance. This exhibit presents more than 60 of these houses.

In the 1780s, Charleston’s first settlers built log houses from the trees that filled the Kanawha Valley. Over time, the more... (more)

Charleston History Through Postcards

These postcards illustrate how much Charleston has changed in the past century or so. Many landmarks—such as the Kearse Theater and Charleston High School—have come and gone, but other familiar buildings remain. These postcards are from the collection of Stan Cohen, who is the co-author, with Richard Andre, of Kanawha County Images and Kanawha County Images, Volume 2.

Featured Exhibit

by James E. Casto

Most of today’s motorists prefer to stick to the easier, far quicker driving offered by Interstate 64. But those travelers who are willing to take their time and instead drive the two-lane blacktop of West Virginia’s Midland Trail can get a glimpse into history that’s denied those who hurry along the super-highway.

The Midland Trail is more than a road, it’s a virtual history book. Originally a rude pathway worn by buffalo and the early pioneers, it stretches from White Sulphur Springs westward to Kenova, zigzagging along rivers, over mountains and through lush valleys. Along the way it touches just about every aspect and time period of West Virginia’s story: coal mines and chemical plants, Civil War battlefields and historic churches, and ancient Native American burial mounds.
Over the decades, the Midland Trail has had many names. It’s been known as the Buffalo Trail, the Lewis Trail, the Old Virginia State Road, the James River & Kanawha Turnpike, the Midland Trail, and, ultimately, U.S. 60.

As it makes its way across West Virginia, the Midland Trail travels through six of the state’s 55 counties. In the east, the first of these is Greenbrier County. The Midland Trail then travels through Fayette, Kanawha, Putnam, Cabell and Wayne counties.

Getting there: Today the Midland Trail is U. S. Route 60, which closely parallels Interstate 64 from the Virginia line to the Sam Black Church exit and again from Charleston to the Kentucky line. It may be accessed at many points along these sections, and where it crosses U. S. 19 (Appalachian Corridor L) north of Fayetteville.